A Wise Expat Once Told Me…

Owing to the screwy way that my brain works, I am currently ninety nine percent sure that something terrible is about to happen. I’ve recently woken from dreams in a panic, jolted by my worst nightmares. And now it appears that my daydreams, those random thoughts that occur in the mundane are now also going to include the split second flashcard of death or horror. I’ve nearly been in numerous car accidents over the last week and I can’t help but wonder if my number is swishing around in car accident bingo.

I’ve been reaching out to grab children who have stepped just that little bit too close to curb, and triple checking that everyone is out of the car before pushing the lock. There was a fire drill during the school basketball tournament yesterday, and while G myself and three of the travellers walked out onto the field I wondered if this was it. The third little traveller was at a guitar lesson, tucked away in a music room at the back of the school. Was this it?

He was fine. It was all fine.

Owing to the screwy way that my brain works, I am currently ninety nine percent sure that if I share with you that I’m thinking that something terrible is going to happen, it probably won’t happen.

A game of jinx, I double jinx you. See, not going to happen. I said it out loud. It’s all okay now.

I ran into a girlfriend the other morning and we played a game of what if something happened. I was talking about a friend who’d been advised by embassy staff to always keep a letter on her refrigerator explaining what would need to happen if something happened to her or her husband. Who would come to get the children?

Nothing like a bit of light conversation in aisles of Ikea on a Sunday morning.

In this expat world, it’s something you have to think about. All parents need to consider a legal guardian or writing a will, but expat parents need to broaden those questions.

Who will fly in to collect the children if something happens to you and your partner?Do you legally have something in place for that to occur?How will they get home?Does the office know what the plan is?Do the children know who to call in case of emergency?Do your children know Granny’s number?

I’m making a list for the refrigerator. Both Grandparents numbers, the Aunts and Uncles, the friends, the neighbours.

Owing to the screwy way that my brain works, I am currently ninety nine percent sure that if I share with you that I’m thinking that something terrible is going to happen, it probably won’t happen.

But I’m prepared. Are you?

*please add anything you think I’ve missed

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